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Monday, March 16, 2009

Mammoth : Check.

It might not be everyone's idea of a romantic getaway.

.Small cabin on outskirts of mountain town, lights but no heat, down comforters and bags for warmth and bathrooms a walk away. But it was always ours. Tim and I have always been frugal, not luxury travelers. We decided to try our first weekend away, a visit to our favorite spot the way we used to do it, alone together, just us. Before the kids we would do the drive to Mammoth, grab this cabin and either snowboard or bike the weekend away. It has been three years since we last used it and it felt like high time to check on our little friend.

It was a great idea, and though the nights and days turned out spectacularly cold (we woke Saturday to ice floating in our water bottles inside the cabin), it was everything we needed and hoped for.

A easy day of discounted riding, getting the feel of the board back, laughing at my total loss of directional sense on the mountain (Tim, traverse!) and then a good long soak in the hot tub slope side.

A few beers on our front porch, talking about photography and work and kids and politics, all while sewing (he swears it does not bother him and I am helpless to leave hands idle).

And then a sunset photo session,

freezing our *sses off and laughing in the wild wind because we were a little tipsy and our lips were turning blue, but we wanted to keep taking pictures.

His

Mine

A sneak into the small quiet lodge, where we stole moments by the fire and watched the apres ski folk laugh over 10 dollar cocktails and felt a smidge of envy knowing we had sub zero temps to return to in our little cabin in the woods.

And then what we thought would be a fun date before dinner, spotting the local outdoor skating rink, seeing the little four and ten year olds stumbling about. It looked so fun and we ran to get skates rented, tied them on, feeling like kids too as we wobbled towards the ice. Tim asked if they rented helmets....I wish they did.

Ice skating is unbelievably hard, especially on outdoor roughly groomed ice. We did not do so well, really badly actually. After 10 minutes of struggling to hang onto the rail and move forward, I looked up and saw Tim face down on the rink and thought he was joking around, then realized he was not moving, totally unresponsive, happened in a moment. Boom. Heart pounding, shouting at him but not moving him, asking for help, realizing how bizarre this happened here after a whole day on the mountain. Off duty fireman on the ice came to help and eventually Tim came around. A few hours later, at the ER, head CT checking out all right, all observations normal, ironic instructions to wake him up a few times in the night, we are released into the frigid night air to walk back home, our cabin blocks away from the hospital.

Not exactly how we imagined finishing our first weekend away together. And quite literally the scariest thing that has happened to us ever. Tim is fine, headache but fine. Now we are home and the pictures tell the tale of most of the day. Fun and together and quiet and not quiet. But let me tell you, I cannot do this without him. And so we will never touch ice skates again. And to think we were worried about the kids. Arg.

Wow! Glad that Tim is doing well! I think your romantic getaway was PERFECT! I miss "roughing it" as I used to be an avid camper. It was always a luxury to stay in a cabin such as your rather than a tent. And better way to weather the freezing temps than to snuggle up with one another! I'm jealous!!!! I've been craving a "baby moon" before the French Fry comes along but finances are ruling out anything reasonable right now. Maybe in a month or so. Wonderful post! Wonderful photos!! Wonderful!!!

Oh.My.Gosh. I am so glad Tim is O.K. That will be something to laugh about in years to come...Away from the kids, worrying about them, only to find your hubby in the E.R. Well, I am so, so, SO glad you guys got to get away!! For more than 24 hours. Let's get the boys together this week! Love you mama.

Whoah! What an incredibly scary moment that I hope you will never ever (ever!) have to see again...especially on a romantic get-away weekend! Glad to hear that he is getting better, but we'll be thinking of you and hoping that everyone is back to 100% soon.